Instrument panel lighting



Feb. 4, 1964 M. MUENZ 3,120,350

' INSTRUMENT PANEL. LIGHTING Filed April 18, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 4, 1964 M. MUENZ 3,120,350

INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING Filed April 18, 1961 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 4, 1964 M. MUENZ 3,120,350

INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING Filed April 18, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent 3,1295% INSTRUMENT PANEL LilG-HTKNG Manfred Morena, Syosset, assignor to Loral Electronics Corporation, New York, NEE, a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 18, 196i, Ser. No. 163,843 2 (Ilaims. (El. Zed-3.16)

This invention relates generally to the field of instrument panel lighting, and more particularly to extremely compact forms thereof, suitable for use in conjunction with military air-borne installations.

With the increased complexity of instrument panels, there has been an accompanying attempt to miniaturize the lighting components used in conjunction therewith. Small baseless type incandescent lamps have been developed which are sufiiciently small that they may be disposed within the space aliorded by adjacent arcuate faces of closely spaced instruments.

To simplify wiring requirements, it has been normal practice to wire such small incandescent lamps in serie so that should the filament of one such lamps fail it becomes necessary to individually test each of the lamps by replacing it with a new one until the faulty lamp is found. As such lamps are normally mounted from the rear of the panel, they are not readily accessible, and the removal of the lamps calls for considerable manual dexterity as well as the use of special tools.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved instrument panel lighting system, in which the above-mentioned disadvantages have been substantially eliminated.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of instrument panel lighting construction which may be readily assembled and disassembled without resort to other than ordinary tools, and with the use of but ordinary skill.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved instrument panel lighting system wherein all of the incandescent lamps may be removed from the instrument panel in a single operation, whereby each of the same may be individually tested for defects without removal from association with a removable element of the instrument panel.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved instrument panel lighting systems in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an instrument panel lighting system in which the individual lamps are positively locked in oriented position when in installed condition, but which nevertheless are readily disengaged as desired for convenient replacement.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of an instrument panel lighting system having increased packing density, that is to say a greater condensation of operative components, with a consequent reduction of weight and space in relation to the number and size of the components employed.

A feature of the invention lies in the provision of an improved lamp-supporting unit adapted to completely encapsulate standard instrument lighting lamps, whereby the replacement of an individual lamp does not require physical contact with the lamp itself.

Another feature of the invention lies in the provision of a lamp housing which serves both as a protective envelope for a lamp disposed therein, and as a light filter where required.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is an exploded View in perspective of an embodiment of the invention.

FlGURE 2 is an exploded view in perspective of a lamp housing element which comprises a part or" the embodimerit.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 33 in FIGURE 1.

FlGURE 4 is a side elevational view of a lamp housing element.

FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan view of a lamp housing element.

FlGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view of an alternate form of the first embodiment.

FlGURE 7 is an offset sectional view as seen from the plane 7-7 in FIGURE 6.

FEGURE 8 is a vertical sectional View as seen from the plane 83 in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a bottom plan view of a lamp housing in accordance with the alternate form of the invention.

FIGURE 10 is an end elevational View as seen from the righthand portion of FIGURE 9.

FEGURE 11 is a side elevational view as seen from the lower portion of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a second embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary bottom plan view there FIGURE 14 is an exploded sectional view showing the structure of FIGURE 12 in disassembled condition.

In accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 1%, comprises broadly: a base lamina 111 which may be part of a larger panel, mounting other groups of instruments, a printed circuit lamina 12, a lamp-supporting lamina l3 and a plurality of lamp-housing elements 14-.

The base lamina 11 may be of any desired configuration, and preferably formed of metallic material which is coated to render it insulative. It is bounded by peripheral edges 17, l8, l9 and 2t), and includes an upper planar insulated supporting surface 21. Connecting prongs 22 and 23 extend outwardly of the planar surface 21 and provide means for interconnecting electrical current with the printed circuit lamina 12. Lock nut means 24 and 25 also extend outwardly of the upper planar supporting surface 21, the purpose of which will more fully apear at a point later in the disclosure. A pair of bored openings 26 and 27 are provided at suitable locations to accommodate either instrument faces (not shown) or control knobs of well known type.

The printed circuit lamina 12 is preferably formed of thin insulative synthetic resinous material, as, for example, the well known impregnated textiles, and the like. It includes a lower surface (not shown), an upper surface 33, and is bounded by peripheral edges 34, 35, 36, 37, 33 and 39, which form notches and 41 for engagement by the lock nuts 24 and 25. The openings 42 and 43 correspond to the openings 26 and 27 in the base lamina ll. Disposed on the upper surface 33 are first, second, third and fourth printed circuit strips 44, 4-5, 46 and 47, respectively, which are formed by deposition of metallic materials in accordance with any of several methods Well known in the art.

The first printed circuit strip 4-4 is generally rectilinear in configuration, including a first terminal d3 having an opening 49 for engagement with the prong 22, as well as a generally elongated portion 5% and a second enlarged terminal 57. The second printed circuit strip 45 ineludes first and second terminals 53 and 54 interconnected by first and second elongated portions 55 and 56. The third printed circuit strip 4-6 includes first and second terminals -3 and 59, respectively, as well as first, second and third elongated portions oil, 61 and 62, respectively. The fourth printed circuit strip 47 generally resembles the first strip 44, including first and second terminals 64 and 65, respectively, interconnected by an elongated portion 66. An opening 67 provides for engagement with the prong 23 in a similar manner.

The lamp-supporting lamina 113 is of over-all configuration corresponding to that of the printed circuit lamina 12. It includes a lower surface 69, an upper surface 7%, and is bounded by peripheral edges '71, '72, 73, 7'4, 75 and 76, the last-mentioned four edges forming notches 7'7 and '78. The bores 79 and 8%) correspond in location and in dimension to the previously described bores 26, 2'7, 42 and 43. Positioned directly above the enlarged terminals interconnecting the printed circuit strips 44- 37 are smaller bores 8 1, 82 and 33 of generally similar configuration, each including a keyway 34 and a countersunk portion 85 (see FIGURE 3) extending inwardly from the lower surface 69.

The individual lamp-housing elements 14 are generally similar, and accordingly a detailed description of one of said elements will serve to describe all. Referring to FlGURE 2 in the drawing, each lamp-housing element 14 includes a main housing member 86, a standard military specification incandescent lamp 87 including a glass envelope 88 and electrical leads 89 and 89', and a cover member 91.

The housing 86 is preferably molded from a suitable transparent synthetic resinous thermoplastic or thermosetting material, and includes an outer planar wall 9d, and a cylindrical continuous side wall 95. Disposed upon the outer surface or" the side Wall '95 is a projecting key member 97 engageable Within a keyway 84 as best seen in FIGURE 4 in the drawings.

The cover member 91 is preferably of synthetic resinous material, and includes an upper surface 192, a lower surface 1%, and an arcuate peripheral edge 1434 having a bead. Extending through the plane of the cover member i are a pair of bores 1'97 and 1% in which the electrical leads 8?? and 8? are soldered or otherwise suitably fixed. Extending downwardly from the lower surface 1% are a pair of resilient contact members lfifi and 120, preferably formed of brass or similar material, the same having terminal portions lull positioned apart a distance to directly overlie the terminals of the printed contact strips M--47 when the device it) is assembled. The contact members lid? and Eli? may be secured to the lower surface MP3 of the member 91 by insert-molding, soldering, Welding to an insert, or by means of headedover rivets, grommets, or the like (not shown).

As best seen in FEGURE 4, it will be observed that the upper surface 192 of the cover 591 is partially notched to accommodate the configuration of the lamp 87,-so that when the element 14 is assembled the bulb will be maintained substantially immobilized. If desired, the lamp 87 may be bonded to the upper surface 102, using a cementitious material. The notch, generally indicated by reference character 1313, may be also duplicated in the under surface of the outer Wall M as indicated by reference character lid.

The device ltl is assembled substantially as indicated in FIGURE 1, wherein the lamp-housing elements 14 are inserted and positioned Within the corresponding bores til-i3, the engagement of the keys 98 within the keyways 34 serving to align the contact members M9419 with the respective printed circuit strips 44-47. The laminae ll and 12 are then positioned upon the lamina l3, and the nut means 24-25 is tightened to maintain the electrical connections in contact. During this assembly, the connecting prongs 22 and 23 will enter the corresponding thereat a resinous conformal coating M2.

bores in the printed circuit strips 44- and 47, respectively,

thereby forming a continuous circuit in series through the lamp-housing elements ltd. Since the lamps 87 are wired in series, or in groups of series connections, the failure of any one of the same will cause all of the lamps in any one series to be extinguished. On this occurrence, the nut means 2 t25 may be loosened, permitting the lampsupporting lamina 13 to be removed. inverting the same exposes the contact members lti9-lr1il of each of the lamp-housing elements 14, permitting them to be individually tested without removing them from engagement with the lamp-supporting lamina 13. Upon the discovery of the defective lamp, the entire housing element 14 enclosing the same may be removed by merely manually pushing upon the outer wall 94, following which a replacement may be made and the device ill again reassembled. In this manner, no tools are required for use in conjunction with any part of the above operation, and the reinsertion of a fresh lamp-housing requires only the alignment of the toy and keyway followed by manual pressure upon the exposed surface of the cover member 91.

Turning now to the alternate form of the first embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7 in the drawings, parts corresponding to those of the principal form have been designated by similar reference characters with the additional suffix a.

The alternate form of the first embodiment differs from the principal form in the construction of the base 11a, particularly in the elimination of the pins 22 and 23 of the first embodiment by a resilient interconnecting means 22a. As best seen in FIGURE 6, the structure 22a includes a cylindrical body 112i? having an outer surface 121 force-fitted or resiliently fitted within a bore 122 in the lamina 11a. Where the latter is employed, a resilient snap ring means 123 maintains the body in position.

Referring to FEG URE 8, the body is provided with a centrally disposed cylindrical bore 124 and a counter-bore 125' in which a resilient tongue 1% is disposed. Spring means 127 urges the tongue 15-26 upwardly, the upward most limit of movement being determined by the engagenent of a snap ring 128 with a portion of the body 12d. During assembly of the alternate form, the uppermost surface 129 of the tongue 12's is enga ed by the member lfta, and electrical contact is maintained in a resilient manner.

As seen in FZGURES 9, l6 and ll, the alternate form of the invention also differs from the principal form in that the lamp housing element 14a is oblong in shape rather than cylindrical, and the edge N411 which forms the head is discontinuous, and confined to the end portions of the housing 114a. As the output of the lamp 87a is greater at the end thereof opposite the leads 3% and 11, indicia means in the form of a painted spot may be provided as a substitute for the keying means 4 97 of the first embodiment.

Turning now to the construction'shown in FIGURES 12 to 14, inclusive, parts corresponding to thoseof the first embodiment have been'designated by similar reference characters with the additional prefix 2.

In this construction, the housing element 214 has been modified to eliminate the cover member 91, and substitute If desired, coloring pigments may be introduced into the resinous material to provide a filtering action. This construction is of an over-all height somewhat less than that of the first embodiment, and accordingly it is possible to install the same in a lamina 213 which has a continuous outer surface 279.

To retain the lamp-housing element 214 in condition, a snap-ring Md is provided which is permanently secured within a recess 146 in the lamina Zlll. Projecting tongues 14% and 156 are adapted to engage the edge 2M as shown in FXGURE 13, there being a plurality of recessed portions 152 permitting the entry of a tool 154 to exert a prying action whereby the lamp-housing is disengaged.

It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly useful improvements in instrument panel lighting, in which the entire lighting system of an instrument panel may be subdivided into relatively small components, each containing a relatively few number of lamps in series and parallel, it being possible to readily test any or all of the lamps in a given group without difficulty, and equally easy to replace any defective lamp. By constructing substantially all of the components from synthetic resinous materials, the devices may be of light weight and of low manufacturing cost.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. In an instrument panel lighting construction, a first lamp-supporting lamina having at least one opening therein, a second lamina having electrical circuit-completing means thereon, a lamp housing selectively disposed entirely within said opening in said first lamina, said housing having illumination means disposed therein the principal axis of which is parallel to the plane of said first lamina and electrical contacting means on an outer surface thereof, said first lamina overlying said second lamina with said contacting means en aging said circuiteompleting means, said opening in said first lamina including a counter-bored portion, said lamp housing including a corresponding annular bead for preventing passage of said housing completely through said opening,

said counterhore having a recess therein for the entry of a tool, whereby said housing may be readily dislodged from contact Within said opening.

2. in an instrument panel lighting construction, a lampsupporting lamina having at least one opening therein, resilient means disposed Within said opening, and a lamp housing selectively positioned Within said opening to engage said resilient means; said housing comprising: a generally planar Wall, a lamp disposed in contact with said wall and having electrical leads extending through said wall, and having contact members electrically connected to said leads and disposed outwardly of said wall, and coated translucent means enclosing said lamp and forming a seal with said wall wherein said lamp is completely encapsulated.

References @ited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,284,878 McDowell June 2, 1942 2,681,980 Harrington June 22, 1954 2,685,641 McDowell Aug. 3, 1954 2,754,410 Thielorn July 10, 1956 2,821,800 Hardesty Feb. 4, 1958 2,838,865 Hardesty June 17, 1958 2,855,709 Roper Oct. 14, 1958 2,880,536 Sullivan Apr. 7, 1959 2,922,875 Buck Jan. 26, 1960 2,923,860 Miller Feb. 2, 1960 2,948,073 Roper Aug. 9, 1960 3,065,335 Madansky Nov. 20, 1962 

1. IN AN INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING CONSTRUCTION, A FIRST LAMP-SUPPORTING LAMINA HAVING AT LEAST ONE OPENING THEREIN, A SECOND LAMINA HAVING ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT-COMPLETING MEANS THEREON, A LAMP HOUSING SELECTIVELY DISPOSED ENTIRELY WITHIN SAID OPENING IN SAID FIRST LAMINA, SAID HOUSING HAVING ILLUMINATION MEANS DISPOSED THEREIN THE PRINCIPAL AXIS OF WHICH IS PARALLEL TO THE PLANE OF SAID FIRST LAMINA AND ELECTRICAL CONTACTING MEANS ON AN OUTER SURFACE THEREOF, SAID FIRST LAMINA OVERLYING SAID SECOND LAMINA WITH SAID CONTACTING MEANS ENGAGING SAID CIRCUITCOMPLETING MEANS, SAID OPENING IN SAID FIRST LAMINA INCLUDING A COUNTERBORED PORTION, SAID LAMP HOUSING INCLUDING A CORRESPONDING ANNULAR BEAD FOR PREVENTING PASSAGE OF SAID HOUSING COMPLETELY THROUGH SAID OPENING, SAID COUNTERBORE HAVING A RECESS THEREIN FOR THE ENTRY OF A TOOL, WHEREBY SAID HOUSING MAY BE READILY DISLODGE FROM CONTACT WITHIN SAID OPENING. 